Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Rufus Excalibur What were the best Battleships of the 20th Century. The epitomy of 'true' naval power (come on Carriers are not really naval ships!!)
I am a big fan of the King George V Class (Anson, Howe, Duke of York and so on) but New Jersey and her sisters had a blend of grace, beauty and power that seem hard to beat |
Bottom line. The US battleships had primitive computer FCS's already, 16 inch guns and one more of them. Faster reload times at 30 seconds per 16 inch tube. In a knock em out firepower fight the US battleships with the 50 or 55cal (which ever they were?) guns (Not the earlier 45cal ones) could put more firepower, more accurate, downrange.
I think the Bismark and her sister ship could deal with more damage. They used brass cased ammo which would not explode as on the Hood and proved safe on the Bismark as she was blasted. The armor on the Bismark was better as well. I think the Bismark probably could deal with more damage. Of course there are many other factors as with firepower as well.
The US ships carried superior aircraft compared to what the Germans had. But I believe the Bismark was faster with a longer endurance. No idea which could turn faster.
I know that the USS North Carolina was kept in the Atlantic in case the US had to deal with the Tirplitz. No matter what your opinion is, it would be a close fight if it were not for all the other factors like allied air superiority and overwhelming power with other surface vessles added to the armada which chased the Bismark with nearly 40 ships. But even one on one it would have been a interesting battle.
The Yamato had bigger guns yet but lower quality, less accuracy and even the armor belting though thicker was concidered inferior to what the US and Germans had. 6 inch steel does not equal 6 inch steel always. The Yamato was bigger in many ways but inferior compared to the Bismark or Jersey type ship.